Bronze Battering Ram from the Battle of the Aegates Recovered

The azure waters off the coast of Sicily, location of the ancient clash between Rome and Carthage, continue to yield their secrets. In the latest archaeological campaign conducted in August, a team of deep-sea explorers has recovered a bronze battering ram from the seabed, a poignant relic of the famous Battle of the Aegates. This ancient battlefield, located between the islands of Levanzo and Favignana, has become a treasure trove of artifacts that offer invaluable insights into one of the most decisive naval battles of the ancient world.

Scouring the Depths

According to the Sicilian Sea Superintendency announcement, the recent discovery of the battering ram at a depth of approximately 80 meters (262 feet), was made possible by the sophisticated technologies aboard the oceanographic research vessel “Hercules.”

Operated by the Society for Documentation of Submerged Sites (SDSS), the vessel has played a crucial role in uncovering and recovering artifacts from the site over the past two decades.

The recovered battering ram has now been transferred to the first intervention laboratory in the former Florio di Favignana Establishment, where it is undergoing initial examination by the archaeologists of the Sea Superintendency of the Sicilian Region.

This bronze battering ram, like others found in previous campaigns, features an embossed decoration on its front side. The motif depicts a Montefortino-type helmet, complete with three feathers on the top—a common symbol associated with Roman military of the era. However, the object’s long submersion in the sea has led to the accumulation of marine encrustations, which currently obscure any inscriptions or finer details that may be present.

The battering ram has a Roman type marking, but is encrusted with sea life, obscuring other indications of its origin. (Sicilian Sea Superintendency)

The Legacy of the Battle of the Aegates

The Battle of the Aegates, fought on March 10, 241 BC, was the final and decisive battle of the First Punic War. This naval engagement, occurring near the northwest coast of the island of Levanzo, saw the Roman fleet, under the command of Gaius Lutatius Catulus, secure a critical victory over the Carthaginian forces. This triumph effectively ended Carthage’s naval dominance and concluded the First Punic War, marking a pivotal moment in Roman history.

Over the last two decades, the ongoing archaeological exploration of this historic site has revealed a wealth of artifacts that provide a vivid picture of the battle and its aftermath. Bronze battering rams, like the one recently recovered, were originally affixed to the prows of Roman warships, functioning as both a decorative element and a terrifying symbol of Roman might.

When ramming an enemy vessel, these bronze faces would be the last thing a Carthaginian sailor might see before their ship was sunk, making them potent symbols of the battle’s ferocity. The Carthaginians of course had similar battering rams of their own.

To date, 27 of these bronzes have been recovered from the seabed, along with other significant finds, including 30 Montefortino-type helmets, two swords, various coins, and numerous amphoras. These discoveries not only illuminate the scale and intensity of naval warfare but also offer a glimpse into the daily lives and military practices of Roman soldiers.

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This is what a Roman warship used in the Battle of the Aegates against the naval forces of Carthage would have looked like. Note the battering ram (or Roman rostrum) on the left at the front of the ship. (Australian National Maritime Museum)

Top image: Battering ram dating to the Battle of the Aegates recovered near Sicily.        Source: Sicilian Sea Superintendency

By Gary Manners